MUNCIE, Ind. — Mike Neu will be the first to tell you that his first two seasons haven't gone according to plan. The Cardinals are 6-18 in that span, including 1-15 in Mid-American Conference play.

But he remains steadfast that the hard times will pay off. He ended last season by saying as much, and he reiterated that Tuesday at MAC Football Media Days in Detroit after Ball State was picked last in the MAC West Division in the preseason media poll.

"Despite what happened to us a year ago with some of the challenges we’ve faced, our kids stayed positive day in, day out," Neu said. "That tells me where our locker room is at. It’s a great vibe, a great culture. Guys are doing things the right way. They know some of the growing pains we’ve experienced, we’re going to benefit from it in the long run. July 31st cannot get here fast enough for me."

That is when Ball State is expected to open practice and build upon a frustrating season crippled by injuries. Neu has to be sick of talking about it at this point, but the Cardinals really struggled after quarterback Riley Neal and running back James Gilbert missed the final nine games of the season, losing all nine games.

"It was tough, but our kids didn’t make any excuses," Neu said. "I wouldn’t allow for that. I just said, 'You got to come in here with a positive attitude every day. Yes, we’re licking our wounds right now, and it’s not easy, but we’re going to get through this. It’s a trying time, but we’re going to be better for it in the long run.'"

The running back situation

Ball State's greatest strength is probably in the offensive backfield with Gilbert, Caleb Huntley and Malik Dunner. Those three backs have all put up good numbers at various points in their careers, but they seem intent on working together and less focused on racking up their own stats.

"The great thing for me was those three young men approached me and said, 'Coach, we don’t all have to be on the field at the same time, it’s all about being unselfish. There are plenty of touches to go around.' That was great to hear from those young men. I’m very excited. We want to run the ball, we make no secret about that. That’s a quarterback’s best friend when you can do that. Riley (Neal) knows that will open up the play-action passing game. Those three guys had a tremendous spring and carried it into this summer. I’m glad they’re on our football team."

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:

Riley Neal's progress

With Neal sidelined last season, Ball State started four quarterbacks. Neu said Neal learned a lot by watching.

"The great thing for Riley, even though it was tough a year ago, he was on a headset every day in practice and every week in the games," Neal said. "He was communicating with the young players during the game, between series, acting almost in a coaching role during practice, so he has really progressed his football knowledge. He’s in a great place right now. His confidence level, his belief, the way he started out last year with his total understanding of protections now. So I’m excited for him, because there’s been a lot of hard work put in by him. He is a student of the game. Last year, when something is taken away from you, that certainly makes you that much more excited and appreciative of every snap you get.

Neal's relationship with Justin Hall

Justin Hall became a star wide receiver in his freshman season, racking up ESPN Freshman All-America honors, but he didn't necessarily emerge until Neal was out for the season. Neu said the two have worked to develop chemistry in the offseason.

"Those guys have carried the momentum into the summer," Neu said. "I always see or hear about the extra throwing sessions that those guys put in on their own, away from the facility. They watch film together sometimes. They want to make sure they know what the other guy is thinking because it’s so critical to be on the same page, especially when you’re playing faster in the heat of the moment. You have to know each other like the back of your hand. I think those guys are in a good place right now. They’ve really developed their relationship and chemistry."

Defense

Ball State allowed a league-worst 40.7 points per game last season. The Cardinals are switching to a 3-4 under defensive coordinator David Elson, which Neu said was the plan all along.

"I had to make sure we restore the confidence and belief on that side of the ball," Neu said, "because when you give up points the way we did a year ago… I told them from day one, it’s not all on you guys. Once we lost some of those guys when some of the injuries took place, those guys felt like the burden was placed on them last year, and that’s not a good mindset to play a game in.

"So we got back out to having some fun in spring practice, knowing you guys don’t have to be perfect. What you need to do is prevent the big play, so we developed a lot with our deep ball skills in the spring and really placed an emphasis on that. I believe in our defense. We’re still going to be young on that side of the ball, primarily up front with the three defensive linemen that will take the field for us."

Schedule

It's going to be a fun schedule, with the season opener slated for Aug. 30 against visiting Central Connecticut St. and then road games at Notre Dame and Indiana.

"We want to get off to a good start at home in front of our fans, get them excited," Neu said. "But the next two weeks, what a great opportunity for our kids and our program. I haven’t been to Notre Dame since I was a kid. I went one time with my father as a kid. I’m excited to get on the bus in Muncie, put Rudy on and let’s go to Notre Dame Stadium. Let’s get it over with, then go to the hotel in Michigan City and get ready to roll for our weekend there.

"When you have an opportunity to play two in-state teams like that, we’ve got everything in the world to gain and nothing to lose, and we’re going to play the game with that mindset and that kind of mentality."

Ryan O’Gara is a sports features writer at the Star Press. Contact him at (765) 213-5829, rogara@muncie.gannett.com or @RyanOGara.